“We need to get the message clear, this is a bad chemical which has been banned for good reasons,”

Voice your concerns on health effects from PFAS

Lydia Lynch

The Federal Health Department has established an expert health panel to determine how PFAS chemicals affect humans.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the panel is accepting submissions from the public to hear their concerns about the potential health effects of PFAS and their views on priorities for future research

“An expert health panel for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been established to review the current literature on potential health effects of PFAS exposure and identify priority areas for research,” Professor Murphy said.

“The panel’s work will also ensure that communities are being provided with up to date and independent information on the potential health effects associated with PFAS exposure.

The panel will consider international scientific research into the potential human health effects of PFAS exposure.

“The panel will also provide advice on priority research areas to the National Health and Medical Research Council to inform the $12.5 million Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – National Health Research Program, which will be delivered as a targeted call for research,” Professor Murphy said,

The Panel Members are:

Professor Nick Buckley (Chair)

Professor Malcolm Sim

Dr Ki Douglas

Professor Alison Jones

Professor Helen Håkansson (International Representative)

“All of the panellists have demonstrated expertise in the fields of environmental health, toxicology, epidemiology and/or public health,” Professor Murphy said.

The public consultation period opened today and will close on November 19.